Word To Life, January 20

Jeff Hedglen

North Texas Catholic

In 1995, I received a call asking if I would be willing to coordinate a diocesan youth conference. The position of diocesan director of youth ministry had been vacant for two years and so it had been awhile since the youth of the diocese had gathered. My first reaction to the invitation was NO WAY! But a voice inside me said, “You are the longest tenured youth minister in the diocese; it is time to step up to the plate.”

So I agreed to lead the team that would undertake this endeavor. I was overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. I had never even been a part of a team that planned an event of this scale, let alone been the team leader. Up to this point, I had been content to stay in my comfortable role as a parish youth minister. So this was a real stretch for me.

I sometimes wonder if Jesus was having a similar feeling at the wedding at Cana when his mother in effect urged him out of his comfortable existence as a son, friend and carpenter and propelled him into the limelight.His response, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come,” reminds me of my reluctance to leave my comfort zone to run a large retreat. This is not to say that Jesus was unwilling to begin his public ministry, it’s just that I find comfort in knowing that, like me, he was comfortable in his current role, yet rose to the occasion that the Lord presented Him.

Though I was nervous, the youth conference went off without a hitch, and in a very real way my ministry was never again the same. When I look back, I am amazed at the kinds of events I have been involved in planning. I would never have thought that “little ole me” could be a part of something making such a big impact on the lives of young people. It just goes to show the power of an invitation coupled with a blind faith “yes” that is infused with the power of the words of Mary at the wedding at Cana: “Do whatever he tells you.”

QUESTIONS:When have you been called out of your comfort zone? Have you ever been the person calling someone else to stretch their limits?

OUR STAFF

Jeff HensleyEditorYou may enable JavaScript to see this email address.You may enable JavaScript to see this email address.You may enable JavaScript to see this email address.You may enable JavaScript to see this email address.
817.945.9422

VacantAssociate Editor
817.945.9422

Judy RusseauAdministrative AssociateYou may enable JavaScript to see this email address.You may enable JavaScript to see this email address.You may enable JavaScript to see this email address.You may enable JavaScript to see this email address.
817.945.9424